When you have a loved one battling addiction, especially if it is someone close to you, it is all too easy to get wrapped up in his problems and his needs. As you support him, stand by him and care for him, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Caretakers often lose sight of who…
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Alcoholism and gambling disorder are well-defined examples of two recognized forms of addiction: substance addiction and non-substance-based behavioral addiction. Impulsive behavior is typically viewed as a core characteristic of both forms of addiction, although the specific types of impulsivity present may vary. In a study published in June 2014 in the journal Addictive Behaviors, a…
DetailsRelatively large numbers of people in the U.S. abuse an opioid medication normally prescribed to treat pain or certain other medical issues. In turn, a substantial number of prescription opioid users and abusers will develop opioid dependence or full-blown opioid addiction. In a study published in June 2014 in the journal Addictive Behaviors, researchers from…
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The development of an eating disorder is believed by experts to have both a biological and an environmental component. The mix of the two influences may differ based on the individual, but there are certain factors that significantly increase a person’s risk of developing an eating disorder.
Forgiveness is consciously releasing feelings of anger or resentment toward someone who has harmed you. It means to stop blaming someone else for things that have happened to you. It means to cancel a debt and give up all claim for reimbursement, to stop looking for apologies or amends from the other person. As part…
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Southeast Texas is in the midst of a gumbo epidemic, and it isn’t the Creole classic you may be thinking of. The “gumbo” causing problems is a combination of drugs: usually marijuana mixed with ecstasy, cocaine and PCP (phencyclidine), with some even adding synthetic marijuana into the mix. Although the drug is causing problems in…
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What do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving? For some people, Thanksgiving calls to mind happy times with family and friends over a delicious turkey dinner accompanied by plenty of satisfying side dishes and pumpkin pie. But if you struggle with alcohol or addiction, your memories of Thanksgiving over the years probably include…
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People affected by sex addiction have a form of non-substance-based behavioral addiction that centers on compulsive and harmful involvement in sex-related conduct, thinking or fantasy. Alternative terms used to describe the same condition include hypersexuality and compulsive sexual behavior. In a study published in August 2014 in the journal Dual Diagnosis, researchers from two U.S.…
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Thanks to an in-progress study of Boston-area teenagers, a group of researchers had the unexpected opportunity to study how emotional responses predicted PTSD symptoms in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a recurring pattern of binge eating followed by either purging with laxatives, diuretics or self-induced vomiting, or through extreme dieting. It is a mental health disorder, meaning that recovery from the illness will require not only behavior modification but also a focus on improved emotional health.